CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE TRATADOS INDIOS

Calvert’s Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Policy

 
Calvert is concerned about the survival and security of indigenous peoples around the world. Companies operating on or directly impacting the land of indigenous peoples should support appropriate development that respects indigenous territories, cultures, environment and livelihoods. Calvert will challenge companies that have a pattern and practice of violating the rights of indigenous peoples. We will not approve companies that have a pattern of egregious practices toward indigenous peoples. We will also urge companies that have direct ongoing conflicts with indigenous communities to resolve concerns through dialogue with indigenous community representatives, shareholders and others. We may invest in companies whose practices may impact indigenous communities. Under these circumstances, Calvert will actively encourage companies, through shareholder dialogue and advocacy, to adopt and implement company-wide guidelines and policies that take proactive measures in dealing with indigenous communities, including:

·        Respect land, sovereignty, natural resource rights and traditional homelands of indigenous peoples and communities.

·        Respect cultural heritage, ceremonial and sacred indigenous sites.

·        Negotiate agreements transparently with independent observers present, and uphold the self-governance of indigenous communities.

·        Avoid exacerbating any tensions between indigenous communities and local or national governments.

·        Contribute to community-driven development and environmental management plans.

·        Hold ongoing consultations and meetings with indigenous communities and leaders in their area of operations.

·         Respect self-determination and secure prior informed consent in any transaction including involving the acquisition and use of indigenous peoples’ property, as well as intellectual property; provide mutually agreed upon  restitution and/or compensation for any property used or acquired from indigenous peoples.

In addition, Calvert is concerned about the use of images which promote racial, cultural or religious stereotyping of indigenous peoples for commercial purposes. This is particularly evident in the United States by companies that appropriate American Indian imagery in the advertising and marketing of their products. Calvert will obtain input from American Indian leaders and representatives and will engage in active dialogue with companies that manufacture and/or market products with offensive labels and logos. We will encourage companies we invest in to adopt and implement the following goals. As a first step, we encourage management to meet with American Indian leaders, religious and social shareholders to dialogue on the issue of culturally offensive or negative images. We also encourage management to:

·        Develop a corporate or institution-wide policy on the discontinuation of products and advertisements associated with negative or stereotypical images of American Indians.

·        Develop and participate in American Indian Diversity Training Programs.

·        Inform corporate shareholders through annual reports, annual meetings, and diversity reports about the company's policy on negative or stereotypical images.

·        Support public educational programs on the elimination of negative or culturally offensive images.

·        Communicate to the Commissioners of professional sports teams that the company and/or university has been contacted by American Indian representatives, religious, and social investors concerned about the company's association with products misusing American Indian names, images, logos and religious items.